Cartel Leader Dead: What Is Going on in Mexico Right Now After El Mencho Killing

Mexico is at a flashpoint. The killing of one of the world's most-wanted cartel leaders has triggered a wave of violence across the country, stranding tourists, shutting airports, and raising urgent questions about what comes next. Here is everything happening in Mexico right now.

Cartel Leader Dead: Who Was El Mencho?

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was the undisputed head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the most powerful Mexican drug trafficking figure who remained free in the country. The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest. The CJNG is one of the most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organizations in Mexico, born in 2009.

Oseguera, a former police officer, led the CJNG as it became one of the "most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations" inside Mexico, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

What Happened in Mexico: How the Military Operation Went Down

On February 22, 2026, El Mencho and six others were killed in a security operation by the Mexican Army in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. The operation was led by the Mexican Army with support from the National Guard, the Mexican Air Force, and intelligence personnel from the Attorney General's Office. Mexican authorities also confirmed coordination with United States agencies, which provided complementary intelligence in the planning of the mission.

During the raid, CJNG members traded fire with government forces, resulting in four gang members being killed at the scene. Oseguera and two others were seriously injured and died as they were being transported via aircraft to Mexico City.

What's Happening in Mexico Right Now: Violence Erupts Across Multiple States

The cartel's response was immediate and brutal.

Cars set on fire by cartel members blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states, leaving smoke billowing into the air. Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara, was turned into a ghost town Sunday night as civilians hunkered down.

At least 25 members of the Mexican National Guard and one security guard died in cartel attacks following the capture and death of El Mencho.

States affected by violence include:

US Tourists Told to Shelter in Place — Flights Canceled

The Embassy of the United States in Mexico City sent out a security alert telling U.S. citizens in multiple states to shelter in place. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico reported that all international operations and the majority of domestic flights were cancelled following the outbreak of violence. Airlines cancelling flights included Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines.

What's Going on in Mexico Politically: Sheinbaum and Trump Angle

El Mencho was the Mexican government's biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration its efforts to crack down on cartels. In February 2025, the Trump administration designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called the operation "a great development for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the world."

What Comes Next: Power Vacuum and World Cup Concerns

There is no obvious successor to Oseguera. His brother is in a U.S. prison, and his son, El Menchito, is also in prison, as is his daughter. Regional bosses within the cartel could now begin disputing for power — similar to what happened when El Chapo was arrested, which eventually sparked a civil war between different Sinaloa factions.

The military operation triggered violent events across Jalisco, which is scheduled to host four matches of the 2026 soccer World Cup in June. The timing adds another layer of urgency to Mexico's security crisis as global attention turns toward the country ahead of the summer tournament.